Must See Artworks at Mia Self-guided group activity. Grades 4 12 Plan on spending time with 8 10 artworks.

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1 Must See Artworks at Mia Self-guided group activity Grades 4 12 Plan on spending time with 8 10 artworks. Many of these questions are designed to prompt close looking and critical thinking. Read each artwork s label to find answers to fact-based questions. Artwork not on view? Don t worry: There are plenty of others to visit! China, Jade Mountain Illustrating the Gathering of Scholars at the Lanting Pavillion (detail), Gallery 210 This jade sculpture tells a story. What appears to be going on? What do you see that makes you say that? What are some of your favorite details from the story?

2 Monks of the Gyuto Tantric University, Yamantaka Mandala (detail), Gallery 212 Japan, Suit of Armor from the Kii Tokugawa Family (detail), a-s Gallery 219 Look closely. There s a lot to see. What s your first reaction to this suit of armor? What first catches your attention? Why? Look closely at its craftsmanship: notice how hundreds of lacquered metal and leather plates are laced together with cords. What appears to be going on? What do you see that makes you think that? Mandalas are usually made with colored sand. What material did the monks use to make this one? Why might it have been made in this way? What aspects communicate the power of its wearer? Roman, The Doryphoros (detail), 86.6 Gallery 230 Egypt, Cartonnage of Lady Tashat (detail), Gallery 250 What do this man s physical characteristics tell you about him? Look at both his head and body. What does this artwork tell you about ancient Egyptian life? What does it tell you about ancient Egyptian art? What artistic detail impresses you the most? Why? What hieroglyphs, if any, do you recognize? What do you wonder about The Doryphoros? What are some of the other pictures you see? What do they tell you about Lady Tashat? 2

3 Yoruba culture, Nigeria, Shrine Head (detail), Gallery 250 Look closely at this sculpture from all angles. What do you like most about this sculpture? What do you wonder about? Would you like to have your portrait made as a sculpture or as a painting? Why? Innu (Naskapi), Hunting Coat, Gallery 261 How did the artist who painted this coat for her husband make it special? What words could you use to describe the painted designs? The tailoring? Look around the gallery. Which do you prefer: painted objects or beaded objects? Why? Chuck Close, Frank (detail), Gallery 373 Look closely. What reflection do you see in Frank s glasses? What about this artwork reminds you of a photograph? What reminds you of a painting? How does the size of this artwork influence how you feel about it? Do-Ho Suh, Some/One (detail), a-d Gallery 373 How would you describe this sculpture to a friend? Look closely at the metal dog tags. What do you notice about them? How does the title Some/One influence the way you think about the sculpture? 3

4 Pablo Picasso, Baboon and Young (detail), Gallery 376 Hans Ledwinka, Tatra T87 four-door sedan (detail), Gallery 379 What everyday objects do you see in this sculpture? Why do you suppose this car is in the galleries? If you were to make a sculpture with objects in your home or school, what would you use? What about it would you consider artistic? Why do you suppose Picasso chose these objects? What does the sculpture tell you about him? What car do you think you ll see in a museum 75 years from now? Claude Monet, Grainstack, Sun in the Mist (detail), Gallery 355 Vincent van Gogh, Olive Trees (detail), 51.7 Gallery 355 Describe the range of colors in this painting. What words would you use to describe the mood? What do you notice first in this painting? What season do you think this shows? How does this compare to Grainstack, Sun in the Mist? What makes you think so? What s different? What s similar? What do you wonder about? Which artwork do you prefer? Why? Do you think the sun is rising or setting? Why? 4

5 Raffaelo Monti, Veiled Lady (detail), Gallery 357 William Howard, Writing desk (detail), Gallery 304 At first glance, what material does this bust appear to be made of? What do you see that makes you say that? What type of emotion do you think this woman is expressing? Why? Look closely at the surface of this desk. What shapes do you recognize? Which do you wonder about? Some of these objects likely symbolized crafts and trades familiar to the artist. Which crafts or trades do you think they represent? Why? 5